Step 4 round-up: Saturday 25 March

Tadcaster Albion’s relegation from the Pitching In NPL East Division was confirmed on Saturday following a 2-0 defeat at home to play-off chasing Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Goals either side of half-time from Alex O’Connor and Luke Rawson confirmed the victory for the Steels, who remain three points clear of Dunston in the final play-off place.

Dunston ensured they are within striking distance of the play-offs after a 2-1 win at Bridlington Town, thanks to Liam Thear’s double. They also have a game in hand on Stocksbridge.

At the bottom, Grantham Town gave their survival hopes a huge boost with a 3-0 win over Consett. Goals from Greg Smith, Joe Stacey and Ashton Hall proved enough for maximum points for the Gingerbreads.

Lincoln United also boosted their survival chances with a surprise 2-0 victory over second-placed Hebburn Town. Quickfire goals from Matthew Cotton and Jake Park lifted Town out of the relegation places on goal difference.

Shildon also did their hopes of staying in the NPL East Division no harm, as they recorded a 3-1 victory over Cleethorpes Town. They completed a late comeback, scoring three goals in the last 15 minutes to record victory.

Saturday could prove a damaging day for Brighouse Town, who were beaten 6-0 by champions Worksop Town. It is now only goal difference keeping them out of the relegation play-off places.

Ossett United, Sheffield and Consett will also be looking over their shoulders. United and Sheffield are two points ahead of the relegation play-off, while Consett are only a point ahead.

Sheffield had the joint highest scoring game, as they came from 3-0 down to rescue a point against Pontefract Collieries.

In the NPL West Division, Macclesfield moved a step closer to promotion, as they provided a late show to beat Skelmersdale United.

It had been 1-1 until the 76th minute, but the game turned on two red cards for the hosts in two minutes. The Silkmen then ran away with it with goals from Nicky Maynard, Alex Curran and Kane Drummond. They are now 13 points clear of second-placed Leek Town.

The Blues fell further behind Macclesfield after a 1-0 defeat against play-off chasing Witton Albion. Sam Billington scored the only goal, putting them a point behind Runcorn Linnets.

Linnets lost at home to a play-off rival, in the form of Clitheroe. Reece Webb-Foster and Abimbola Obasoto scored for the Blues to lift them into fourth place.

At the bottom, Colne boosted their survival chances with a 2-1 victory at Bootle. Owen Watkinson scored the winner for the Reds, to leave them two points off safety.

Hanley Town also lifted themselves out of the relegation play-off places, courtesy of a 2-0 win against play-off-chasing Trafford. Louis Dodds and Sam Turner grabbed the goals.

Widnes have now slipped into the relegation play-off places, after having to settle for a goalless draw in their basement battle with Ramsbottom United.

Elsewhere, City of Liverpool were the big winners of the week, as they put six past Newcastle Town. Jack Hazlehurst scored twice, while Kevin Ellison, Max Allen, Tom Croughan and Karl Clair completed the scoring.

Finally, in the NPL Midlands Division, Stamford maintained their nine-point lead at the top with a 2-1 win over Cambridge City. Jonathan Margetts and Rob Morgan turned the game around in the leaders’ favour.

Halesowen Town and Spalding United also won to keep themselves in the hunt. They recorded wins over Dereham Town and Harborough Town respectively.

In the race for the play-offs, Sporting Khalsa moved into the play-offs after a 4-1 win over play-off rivals Corby Town. Doubles from James McGrady and Miracle Okafor won the game.

Boldmere St Michaels missed the chance to keep themselves ahead in the race for the play-offs, after suffering a 2-1 defeat against Hinckley. They had taken the lead through Owen Parry, but surrendered that lead to see their buffer reduced to two points.

At the bottom, Daventry Town were able to rescue a point after a late comeback at Sutton Coldfield Town. Ayomide Akinbola and Dylan McGinley completed a two-minute fightback to keep their slim hopes of getting out of trouble alive.

Results - NPL East Division

Bridlington Town 1-2 Dunston
Brighouse Town 0-6 Worksop Town
Carlton Town 0-2 Stockton Town
Grantham Town 3-0 Consett AFC
Grimsby Borough 1-3 Long Eaton United
Hebburn Town 0-2 Lincoln United
Ossett United 0-3 North Shields
Sheffield 3-3 Pontefract Collieries
Shildon 3-1 Cleethorpes Town
Tadcaster Albion 0-2 Stocksbridge Park Steels

Results - NPL West Division

1874 Northwich 0-1 Mossley
Bootle 1-2 Colne
Leek Town 0-1 Witton Albion
Newcastle Town 1-6 City of Liverpool
Prescot Cables 0-0 Kidsgrove Athletic
Ramsbottom United 0-0 Widnes
Runcorn Linnets 1-2 Clitheroe
Skelmersdale United 1-4 Macclesfield
Trafford 0-2 Hanley Town
Workington AFC 3-0 Glossop North End

Results - NPL Midlands Division

Cambridge City 1-2 Stamford
Coleshill Town 2-0 Yaxley
Dereham Town 0-3 Halesowen Town
Gresley Rovers 0-2 Loughborough Dynamo
Hinckley LRFC 2-1 Boldmere St Michaels
Shepshed Dynamo 1-2 Chasetown
Spalding United 3-1 Harborough Town
Sporting Khalsa 4-1 Corby Town
St Neots Town 0-4 Bedworth United
Sutton Coldfield Town 2-2 Daventry Town